From the category archives:

FAQ's

FAQ #14 By looking at the outside of the horse’s foot, how can you tell what position the P3 bone is inside the hoof, if it’s out of normality or – if so – at what degree? How can you analyze how to trim and what to do in relation to a rotated or tilted bone?

February 20, 2010

The best way to tell the position of the Distal Phalanx, or P3, is to have a lateral/medial radiograph of the hoof.  Usually, the foot will have to be placed on a block to get the x-ray beam parallel to the base of the bone.
Without an x-ray, you can look at the slope of the [...]

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FAQ #13 Why does a horse get nail-quicked?

January 22, 2010

Hoof wall thicknesses vary. There is a very small margin for error. The farrier must pay close attention to selecting and driving each nail.  Not all nails are manufactured perfectly, and misshapen nails might not drive straight.
However, nail quicking isn’t the only kind of quicking that can affect a horse – he can also be [...]

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FAQ #12 What hoof knife brands are the best for their money?

January 15, 2010

I believe the NC Tool hoof knife is the best value for the money.  They come sharp and are easy to keep sharp.  And they are relatively inexpensive to replace.  I think the best hoof knives in the market are Ringel knives.  I use them in my work, for they are made of high quality [...]

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FAQ #11 In my horseshoeing business, what is the best way to raise my prices for trimming and shoeing?

December 28, 2009

This question and its answer depends upon your experience, length of time in practice, how many clients you currently have, status of your local economy, competition, etc.   Do you provide perceivable value for your clients?  How will you communicate this change — will you call and tell them, send them a letter,  postcard or email, [...]

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FAQ #10 Do I have to read all the pages in The Principles of Horseshoeing (P3) before coming to your school?

December 15, 2009

Answer: You are not required to read all the pages before you arrive.
You’ll find after enrolling and completing the application process that a copy of P3 will be sent to you, and you are at liberty to use your copy to read and study as you wish. There is a homework assignment [...]

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FAQ #9 What’s normal hoof size?

December 7, 2009

Answer: A hoof that is proportional to the horse’s body size allows for ideal distribution of body weight over the foot’s laminar surface. (Laminar surface refers to the area where the sensitive laminae, attached to the coffin bone, interlocks with the horny laminae at the hoof wall.) When the foot is proportional [...]

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FAQ #8: At what age should we shoe a horse?

November 24, 2009

A young horse does not usually have to be shod unless it’s necessary to maintain the foot in a healthy, balanced state. Soundness is the key.  If the wear of the hoof capsule is greater than its growth,  it should be shod.
The average hoof growth rate is three-eighths of an inch (about one centimeter) per [...]

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FAQ 6: Foot Care for Older Horses with Arthritis

November 16, 2009

Question: My mare is Twelve going on Thirteen. I have had her for two years and have always had problems with holding and trimming her rear feet. In an article I read recently on restraint training it is stated that if a horse is old or has problems with arthritis they should not have their legs [...]

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FAQ 7: Should My Farrier Clean Up After Himself?

November 11, 2009

QUESTION: Dear Sir or Madam, I am looking for feedback on the standard protocol for farriers regarding cleaning up after shoeing and running magnets for horseshoe nail tips at busy boarding stables.

Is it generally the responsibility of the farrier to clean up after shoeing and run their magnets for nail scraps or does this fall on the shoulders of [...]

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FAQ 5: How can horse owners help farriers?

November 1, 2009

What specific information should a horse owner know and/or record that can help a farrier better care for their horse’s feet?
A regularly scheduled visit by the farrier is the most important way to care for a horse’s feet. A current, up-to-date record of ideal trimming or shoeing intervals for each horse, ideal individual hoof angles [...]

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